Report: Mom injured in wreck with Camaro on ventilator, funeral for daughters pending

By The Enterprise

Updated 11:43 am, Thursday, February 13, 2014

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

Image 1of/26

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 26

From left, Angie Erhard, Tatum Kemp, James Erhard Ashley Robinson, and Cheyann Coleson bring balloons and memorial items to the site of the fatal car wreck were three people died in Lumberton on Monday. Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins said Thursday that Dawn Sterling's, one of the passengers from the wreck, condition is improving. Funeral arrangements for Connely Burns, 20; her unborn child; and Burns' sister, 15-year-old Courtney Sterling are being held by Broussard's in Silsbee.
Photo taken Thursday, February 6, 2014
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

From left, Angie Erhard, Tatum Kemp, James Erhard Ashley Robinson, and Cheyann Coleson bring balloons and memorial items to the site of the fatal car wreck were three people died in Lumberton on Monday. ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

Image 2 of 26

The Camaro that Crystal Boyett's was said to be driving in Monday's wreck in Lumberton.
Photo taken Friday, February 07, 2014
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter

The Camaro that Crystal Boyett's was said to be driving in Monday's wreck in Lumberton.
Photo taken Friday, February 07, 2014
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

Image 3 of 26

Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins said Thursday that Dawn Sterling's, one of the passengers from Wednesday's fatality in Lumberton, condition is improving. Funeral arrangements for Connely Burns, 20; her unborn child; and Burns' sister, 15-year-old Courtney Sterling are being held by Broussard's in Silsbee.
Photo taken Thursday, February 6, 2014
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins said Thursday that Dawn Sterling's, one of the passengers from Wednesday's fatality in Lumberton, condition is improving. Funeral arrangements for Connely Burns, 20; her ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

Image 4 of 26

Crystal Lummus Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Courtney Sterling, 15, Connely Burns, 20, and Burns' unborn child. Boyett is accused of driving at more than 120 mph before crashing her Camaro into the vehicle carrying Sterling and Burns.
Photo taken Wednesday, 2/5/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Crystal Lummus Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Courtney Sterling, 15, Connely Burns, 20, and Burns' unborn child. Boyett is accused of driving at more than 120 mph ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

Image 5 of 26

Lumberton police are investigating the driver of a Camaro that topped 120 miles per hour Monday night before crashing into another vehicle, leaving a 20-year-old pregnant woman dead.

Lumberton police are investigating the driver of a Camaro that topped 120 miles per hour Monday night before crashing into another vehicle, leaving a 20-year-old pregnant woman dead.

Photo: Lumberton Fire Department

Image 6 of 26

Crystal Lummus Boyett is escorted from the Lumberton Police Department to the Justice Court Building for her arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Courtney Sterling, 15, Connely Burns, 20, and Burns' unborn child. Boyett is accused of driving at more than 120 mph before crashing her Camaro into the vehicle carrying Sterling and Burns.
Photo taken Wednesday, 2/5/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Crystal Lummus Boyett is escorted from the Lumberton Police Department to the Justice Court Building for her arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

Image 7 of 26

Crystal Lummus Boyett is escorted from the Lumberton Police Department to the Justice Court Building for her arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Courtney Sterling, 15, Connely Burns, 20, and Burns' unborn child. Boyett is accused of driving at more than 120 mph before crashing her Camaro into the vehicle carrying Sterling and Burns.
Photo taken Wednesday, 2/5/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Crystal Lummus Boyett is escorted from the Lumberton Police Department to the Justice Court Building for her arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

Image 8 of 26

Crystal Lummus Boyett is escorted from the Lumberton Police Department to the Justice Court Building for her arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Courtney Sterling, 15, Connely Burns, 20, and Burns' unborn child. Boyett is accused of driving at more than 120 mph before crashing her Camaro into the vehicle carrying Sterling and Burns.
Photo taken Wednesday, 2/5/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Crystal Lummus Boyett is escorted from the Lumberton Police Department to the Justice Court Building for her arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

Image 9 of 26

Connely Burns. Photo: Facebook

Connely Burns. Photo: Facebook

Image 10 of 26

Crystal Lummus Boyett is escorted from the Lumberton Police Department to the Justice Court Building for her arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Courtney Sterling, 15, Connely Burns, 20, and Burns' unborn child. Boyett is accused of driving at more than 120 mph before crashing her Camaro into the vehicle carrying Sterling and Burns.
Photo taken Wednesday, 2/5/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Crystal Lummus Boyett is escorted from the Lumberton Police Department to the Justice Court Building for her arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

Image 11 of 26

Lumberton police are investigating the driver of a Camaro that topped 120 miles per hour Monday night before crashing into another vehicle, leaving a 20-year-old pregnant woman dead.

Lumberton police are investigating the driver of a Camaro that topped 120 miles per hour Monday night before crashing into another vehicle, leaving a 20-year-old pregnant woman dead.

Photo: Lumberton Fire Department

Image 12 of 26

Crystal Lummus Boyett is escorted from the Justice Court Building after her arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Courtney Sterling, 15, Connely Burns, 20, and Burns' unborn child. Boyett is accused of driving at more than 120 mph before crashing her Camaro into the vehicle carrying Sterling and Burns.
Photo taken Wednesday, 2/5/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Crystal Lummus Boyett is escorted from the Justice Court Building after her arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Courtney Sterling, 15, ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

Image 13 of 26

Chief of Police Danny Sullins leads Crystal Lummus Boyett out of the Lumberton Police Department and Municipal Court for her arraignment Wednsday. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Courtney Sterling, 15, Connely Burns, 20, and Burns' unborn child. Boyett is accused of driving at more than 120 mph before crashing her Camaro into the vehicle carrying Sterling and Burns.
Photo taken Wednesday, 2/5/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Chief of Police Danny Sullins leads Crystal Lummus Boyett out of the Lumberton Police Department and Municipal Court for her arraignment Wednsday. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

Image 14 of 26

Crystal Lummus Boyett sits in a vehicle driven by Chief of Police Danny Sullin after her arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Courtney Sterling, 15, Connely Burns, 20, and Burns' unborn child. Boyett is accused of driving at more than 120 mph before crashing her Camaro into the vehicle carrying Sterling and Burns.
Photo taken Wednesday, 2/5/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Crystal Lummus Boyett sits in a vehicle driven by Chief of Police Danny Sullin after her arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Courtney ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

Image 15 of 26

Lumberton police are investigating the driver of a Camaro that topped 120 miles per hour Monday night before crashing into another vehicle, leaving a 20-year-old pregnant woman dead.

Lumberton police are investigating the driver of a Camaro that topped 120 miles per hour Monday night before crashing into another vehicle, leaving a 20-year-old pregnant woman dead.

Photo: Lumberton Fire Department

Image 16 of 26

Courtney Sterling. Photo: Facebook

Courtney Sterling. Photo: Facebook

Image 17 of 26

Crystal Lummus Boyett is escorted from the Lumberton Police Department to the Justice Court Building for her arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Courtney Sterling, 15, Connely Burns, 20, and Burns' unborn child. Boyett is accused of driving at more than 120 mph before crashing her Camaro into the vehicle carrying Sterling and Burns.
Photo taken Wednesday, 2/5/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Crystal Lummus Boyett is escorted from the Lumberton Police Department to the Justice Court Building for her arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

Image 18 of 26

Lumberton police are investigating the driver of a Camaro that topped 120 miles per hour Monday night before crashing into another vehicle, leaving a 20-year-old pregnant woman dead.

Lumberton police are investigating the driver of a Camaro that topped 120 miles per hour Monday night before crashing into another vehicle, leaving a 20-year-old pregnant woman dead.

Photo: Lumberton Fire Department

Image 19 of 26

Crystal Lummus Boyett is escorted from the Justice Court Building after her arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Courtney Sterling, 15, Connely Burns, 20, and Burns' unborn child. Boyett is accused of driving at more than 120 mph before crashing her Camaro into the vehicle carrying Sterling and Burns.
Photo taken Wednesday, 2/5/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Crystal Lummus Boyett is escorted from the Justice Court Building after her arraignment Wednesday afternoon. Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Courtney Sterling, 15, ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

Image 20 of 26

Crystal Lummus Boyett, 40, Kirbyville

Crystal Lummus Boyett, 40, Kirbyville

Photo: Photo Provided By

Image 21 of 26

Crystal Lummus Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Courtney Sterling, 15, Connely Burns, 20, and Burns' unborn child. Boyett is accused of driving at more than 120 mph before crashing her Camaro into the vehicle carrying Sterling and Burns.
Photo taken Wednesday, 2/5/14
Jake Daniels/@JakeD_in_SETX less

Crystal Lummus Boyett is being charged with three counts of manslaughter in the deaths of Courtney Sterling, 15, Connely Burns, 20, and Burns' unborn child. Boyett is accused of driving at more than 120 mph ... more

Photo: Jake Daniels

Image 22 of 26

Tatum Kemp, top, Ashley Robinson, left, and Cheyann Coleson bring balloons to the site of the fatal car wreck were three people died in Lumberton on Monday. Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins said Thursday that Dawn Sterling's, one of the passengers from the wreck, condition is improving. Funeral arrangements for Connely Burns, 20; her unborn child; and Burns' sister, 15-year-old Courtney Sterling are being held by Broussard's in Silsbee.
Photo taken Thursday, February 6, 2014
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

Tatum Kemp, top, Ashley Robinson, left, and Cheyann Coleson bring balloons to the site of the fatal car wreck were three people died in Lumberton on Monday. Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins said Thursday ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

Image 23 of 26

Kala Prez photographs the site of the fatal car wreck were three people died in Lumberton on Monday. Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins said Thursday that Dawn Sterling's, one of the passengers from the wreck, condition is improving. Funeral arrangements for Connely Burns, 20; her unborn child; and Burns' sister, 15-year-old Courtney Sterling are being held by Broussard's in Silsbee.
Photo taken Thursday, February 6, 2014
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

Kala Prez photographs the site of the fatal car wreck were three people died in Lumberton on Monday. Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins said Thursday that Dawn Sterling's, one of the passengers from the ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

Image 24 of 26

Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins said Thursday that Dawn Sterling's, one of the passengers from Monday's fatality in Lumberton, condition is improving. Funeral arrangements for Connely Burns, 20; her unborn child; and Burns' sister, 15-year-old Courtney Sterling are being held by Broussard's in Silsbee.
Photo taken Thursday, February 6, 2014
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins said Thursday that Dawn Sterling's, one of the passengers from Monday's fatality in Lumberton, condition is improving. Funeral arrangements for Connely Burns, 20; her unborn ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

Image 25 of 26

Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins said Thursday that Dawn Sterling's, one of the passengers from Monday's fatality in Lumberton, condition is improving. Funeral arrangements for Connely Burns, 20; her unborn child; and Burns' sister, 15-year-old Courtney Sterling are being held by Broussard's in Silsbee.
Photo taken Thursday, February 6, 2014
Guiseppe Barranco/@spotnewsshooter less

Lumberton Police Chief Danny Sullins said Thursday that Dawn Sterling's, one of the passengers from Monday's fatality in Lumberton, condition is improving. Funeral arrangements for Connely Burns, 20; her unborn ... more

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco, Photo Editor

Image 26 of 26

Report: Mom injured in wreck with Camaro on ventilator, funeral for daughters pending

1 / 26

Back to Gallery

A Lumberton ISD employee that lost her daughters and unborn grandchild in a wreck earlier this month has been put on a ventilator following surgery, but is recovering and resting, according to information released on the district's Facebook page Wednesday.

The update posted to the Lumberton ISD page reads:

"Here is the most recent update from Michael, Dawn's husband: Dawn had surgery on Monday to repair her diaphragm. The doctors felt this would speed her recovery and help get her into a private room sooner. She also had fluid buildup in both lungs and the doctors re-inserted the chest tube to relive those issues. To assist in her recovery, they have put her on a ventilator so she could get more oxygen to the areas that were affected by the blunt trauma. Her husband, Michael, says the surgery and the oxygen is allowing her to finally get some rest. Funeral services are still pending but Michael will let us know as soon as they make a decision. Please continue to pray for the family and Dawn's recovery."

Dawn was hospitalized on February 4 when the vehicle she was in with her two daughters was struck by a Camaro that had topped 120 miles per hour. The speeding car had first been spotted by DPS vehicles in Jasper County and passed Hardin County law enforcement officers at 121 mph. But before officers could stop the car, it crashed into a Nissan traveling southbound on U.S. 96 in Lumberton.

Courtney Sterling, 15, was using her learner's permit to drive. Her 20-year-old sister, Connely Burns, was also in the vehicle. Both died as a result of the wreck. Connely was pregnant and due in March.

The suspected driver of the Camaro was arrested the following day. Crystal Lummus Boyett, 40, was jailed on a $1.5 million bond and charged with three counts of manslaughter.

A benefit for the Sterling family has been planned for February 23 at Lumberton High School, where Dawn has worked for about seven years. Courtney was a freshman at the school and was a member of the flag corps for the Mighty Raider Band.